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Volocopter plans to focus on cities expediting infrastructure, routes, regulations, and digital networks, highlighting global economic uncertainties and the crucial role of local partners.

Volocopter.

The eagerly anticipated initiative has been paused due to challenges in securing local partners willing to share the financial responsibility for the cutting-edge technology involved.

Continue reading “Volocopter stalls air taxi launch amid funding woes in Singapore” »

Tesla has open-sourced all of the design and engineering of the original Roadster, CEO Elon Musk announced today, and plenty of people are wondering if the timing of the release has anything to do with the next-gen Roadster that is now several years behind schedule.

Tesla has opened everything from Owner’s Manuals to Circuits and Connectors for the original Roadster, which was the automaker’s first project fifteen years ago in 2008.

The vehicle was essentially a fundraising campaign for Tesla as it fought to keep its doors open and transform the passenger vehicle industry. It almost bankrupted the company, but now, everything that was developed for Tesla’s initial EV project is available for anyone to take a look at.

In laser-based manufacturing, accommodating non-flat, or changing surfaces has traditionally been labor-intensive, involving complex focus mapping procedures and or ex-situ characterization. This often results in repositioning errors and extended processing times.

To address these issues, ultra-high-speed auto-focusing in laser processing has been developed. Whereas most auto-focusing techniques still require the mechanical motion of a motorized stage. This mechanical movement in the beam propagation axis can be significantly slower than the lateral speed, slowing down the process of surface detection and re-alignment. Furthermore, it requires feedback, control, and sensing methods in order to determine the optical focal position.

In a new paper published in Light: Science & Applications, a team of researchers, led by Professor Craig B. Arnold from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University, U.S., developed a fast method to simultaneously track the specific location of a surface and adjust the focus of an optical system. They employed axial varifocal optics, specifically a TAG lens, which operates at 0.1−1 MHz, bypassing delays from the mechanical motion in the beam propagation direction.

The Bugatti Concept by FlybyArtist is a futuristic vehicle that combines the best of both worlds – beast trucks and semi-trucks. It’s an innovative design designed to provide a smooth and comfortable ride while still being able to handle rugged terrain. The concept features a sleek, aerodynamic design with an advanced suspension system. It also includes several unique features such as active safety systems, adaptive cruise control, and autonomous driving capabilities. This concept is sure to revolutionize the way we drive in the future!

After years of expanding autonomous robotaxi rides throughout China, self-driving specialist Pony.ai continues to scale its technology in another segment – commercial trucks. Today, the company announced it has acquired the first ever license in Guangzhou, China to begin testing its autonomous truck technology on open roads in packs formations.

Pony.ai Inc. is a technology company founded over seven years ago that specializes in fully-autonomous mobility. Its robotaxi development has been supported through partnerships with global OEMs like Toyota, GAC Group, and NIO Capital, helping it become one of the early leaders of completely driverless rides throughout several cities in China.

For example, since the launch of its robotaxi app in December 2018, Pony.ai has become the first to commercialize autonomous taxi services in the Chinese cities of Beijing and Guangzhou and one of the first companies licensed to operate in other tier-1 cities, such as Shanghai and Shenzen. It has also expanded US cities like Tucson, Arizona and even signed a partnership to bring its technology to the futuristic urban development NEOM in Saudi Arabia.

Tesla has started discounting new inventory Model Y and Model 3 vehicles again in an apparent new end-of-quarter delivery push.

While Tesla has historically often used price reductions as a way to create demand, but until recently, the automaker has refrained from straight discounts on vehicles.

That changed when Tesla started discounting new inventory vehicles earlier this year.

The Rivian R1 vehicle lineup will expand and could be more affordable with new trims and battery, and the Van will be sold to new customers.

In an all-hands video conference call to Cruise staff on Monday afternoon, General Motors CEO Mary Barra attempted to re-energize the staff of Cruise, GM’s on-edge autonomous vehicle subsidiary, after its CEO and chief product officers both resigned following several weeks of enormous setbacks for the company.

Ford said Tuesday it is cutting production capacity by roughly 43% to 20 gigawatt hours per year and reducing expected employment from 2,500 jobs to 1,700 jobs. The company declined to disclose how much less it would invest in the plant. Based on the reduced capacity, it would still be about a $2 billion investment.

The decision adds to a recent retreat from EVs by automakers globally. Demand for the vehicles is lower than expected due to higher costs and challenges with supply chains and battery technologies, among other issues.

Reductions at the Marshall, Michigan, plant are part of Ford’s plans announced last month to cut or delay about $12 billion in previously announced EV investments. The company will also postpone construction of another electric vehicle battery plant in Kentucky.